I watched this movie one day after watching "Exorcist: The Beginning".
"The Beginning" and "Dominion" are the essentially the same movie released one year apart. Same basic plot, much of the same cast. I knew this going onto "Dominion", but not going into "The Beginning".
This is an excellent demonstration of how the less tangible aspects of film-making can completely change the end product. Despite being in some sense essentially the same, they're completely different movies.
"The Beginning" feels very much like it's shot closer to the time period in which it's set. It's a slow and reserved movie.
In "Dominion", it very much feels like it was made in the 2000-2009 decade. Themes are more on-the-nose. There are more clear-cut divisions between the "good guys" and the "bad guys". The movie is faster paced, it's never in as much danger of feeling boring. And despite the more contemporary feel, it manages to have a gravity in some scenes that makes it in some ways more compelling than the older-feeling "The Beginning". Of course, that gravity is undone several times in the movie from classic cases of earlier attempts at CGI not working well, especially to people who are used to better CGI.
In the end I like these movies about as much as each other, for very different reasons.
If you can't handle slow paced movies that feel old, skip "The Beginning". If (very noticeable) bad CGI ruins movies for you, stay away from "Dominion". Otherwise, either is fine, and if neither are ruled out, I'd recommend it as an interesting case study. The contrast was very enjoyable.
Edit: watched Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist the day after watching this. What follows is my review of "Dominion" taking the contrast into account.
"The Beginning" and "Dominion" are the essentially the same movie released one year apart. Same basic plot, much of the same cast. I knew this going onto "Dominion", but not going into "The Beginning".
This is an excellent demonstration of how the less tangible aspects of film-making can completely change the end product. Despite being in some sense essentially the same, they're completely different movies.
"The Beginning" feels very much like it's shot closer to the time period in which it's set. It's a slow and reserved movie.
In "Dominion", it very much feels like it was made in the 2000-2009 decade. Themes are more on-the-nose. There are more clear-cut divisions between the "good guys" and the "bad guys". The movie is faster paced, it's never in as much danger of feeling boring. And despite the more contemporary feel, it manages to have a gravity in some scenes that makes it in some ways more compelling than the older-feeling "The Beginning". Of course, that gravity is undone several times in the movie from classic cases of earlier attempts at CGI not working well, especially to people who are used to better CGI.
In the end I like these movies about as much as each other, for very different reasons.
If you can't handle slow paced movies that feel old, skip "The Beginning". If (very noticeable) bad CGI ruins movies for you, stay away from "Dominion". Otherwise, either is fine, and if neither are ruled out, I'd recommend it as an interesting case study. The contrast was very enjoyable.
number of people who were willing to and essentially did pass their prescribed test but die anyway. Especially the two who looked like they failed by a matter of a few seconds or a small quantity of "stuff". Those people sure as hell had the will to live.
Seems to cut against the theme of whats going on for the sake of some cheap increase in drama. It isn't really even effective. I'm no longer thinking "will they be able to do this" but instead "did the script writer decide to arbitrarily make the time limit of this task just a little bit shorter vs. longer to determine the outcome".
That quibble aside, pretty solid Saw movie. Must more what most fans have likely been after than the last two less-Sawy movies Jigsaw and Spiral. (Though I'm someone who didn't particularly mind those movies.)
Gave this 3.5 out of 5 on letterboxd. Good, I liked it.
Some really good tension building moments. But the last 15 minutes or so dragged a bit, a problem one or two of the earlier Insidious movies have had too.
Jump scares might be considered cheap. But even so, it's absolutely possible to do them badly even for jump scares, and, apparently, also possible to do them extremely well.
Having seen 270 of TSZDT's The 1,000 Greatest Horror Films (link below) and plenty others besides, this movie scared me with jump scares more than any other movie I've seen. Not quite the scariest movie overall I've seen, but damn close. And to do that largely with jump scares and the tension leading up to them is pretty impressive.
This movie isn't even on that list! Though, that's not surprising, because I almost never watched this movie myself due to how bored I was by Insidious 2.
Quite liked this. The background of an exorcist who is not only atheistic but in the process of openly confessing to this is a nice little twist on the exorcist genre, and it's portrayed well.
Keeps you guessing (or at least kept me guessing) as to not only whether you're watching a natural or supernatural film, but if it's a natural film, what exactly is going on and who's doing what - a lot of motivated actors who could have different ulterior motives.
Agreed with Da_Vince that this is much stronger as a drama than a horror/thriller. It still very much fits in those categories, but if I was rating this as horror thriller it would get only moderate points. As a drama though, I think it is pretty outstanding, and deserves its high ratings in that respect.
But a warning then; if you're looking for horror/thriller and aren't a fan of dramas, maybe look somewhere else.
Very interesting to watch to see how what you can do with so little to work with. Things happen a little fast and can be a bit hard to follow/interpret, but a repeat watch won't cost you much time.
Excellent movie - but quite slow, and very dark in places. Definitely worth a watch if neither of those things put you off. Sort of changes directions a few times; it's hard to know exactly where things are heading over the longer course of the movie, which is rare.
From the perspective of a non-American who went into the movie knowing nothing about the events - very compelling account. Super well made. Obviously people who don't like this kind of movie at all aren't going to be interested, but it's very captivating and engaging.
I like this. I think there's a weak section, from about 60% through to 80% of the way through the movie, where it fall into the too-long-drawn-out trap so common to the horror genre. But the ending is interesting, and worth sticking around for.
The opening third/half of the movie is very compelling, so definitely worth watching I think.
Not a scary movie, but good. Definitely held interest the whole way through, nice atmosphere. The horror aspects of this movie are a bit of a side piece to the movie as whole - though it's well integrated and doesn't feel out of place at all.
Sort of turns into a genric this-genre-horror movie in the last third or half. Very intersting movie for the earlier part though, probably worth watching on that basis.
Comments 1 - 25 of 66
Movie comment on Late Night with the Devil
Tidorith
Outstanding. Genuinely scary in places. Hooked me immediately, didn't let go.Probably my favourite new horror movie since M3GAN (for those who count that) and the first A Quiet Place movie.
Movie comment on Satan's Little Helper
Tidorith
This is a pretty stupid movie. The criticism I've seen of it is justified.I love it.
Movie comment on A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
Tidorith
Holy crap man. The tendons. Similarly visceral reaction to the Saw II needle pit.Honourable mention to the needle holes waking up in this one too. Really good ick factor.
Rated this 4 out of 5 stars on Letterboxd.
Movie comment on Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist
Tidorith
I watched this movie one day after watching "Exorcist: The Beginning"."The Beginning" and "Dominion" are the essentially the same movie released one year apart. Same basic plot, much of the same cast. I knew this going onto "Dominion", but not going into "The Beginning".
This is an excellent demonstration of how the less tangible aspects of film-making can completely change the end product. Despite being in some sense essentially the same, they're completely different movies.
"The Beginning" feels very much like it's shot closer to the time period in which it's set. It's a slow and reserved movie.
In "Dominion", it very much feels like it was made in the 2000-2009 decade. Themes are more on-the-nose. There are more clear-cut divisions between the "good guys" and the "bad guys". The movie is faster paced, it's never in as much danger of feeling boring. And despite the more contemporary feel, it manages to have a gravity in some scenes that makes it in some ways more compelling than the older-feeling "The Beginning". Of course, that gravity is undone several times in the movie from classic cases of earlier attempts at CGI not working well, especially to people who are used to better CGI.
In the end I like these movies about as much as each other, for very different reasons.
If you can't handle slow paced movies that feel old, skip "The Beginning". If (very noticeable) bad CGI ruins movies for you, stay away from "Dominion". Otherwise, either is fine, and if neither are ruled out, I'd recommend it as an interesting case study. The contrast was very enjoyable.
I rated both movies 3 out 5 on Letterboxd.
Movie comment on Exorcist: The Beginning
Tidorith
Edit: watched Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist the day after watching this. What follows is my review of "Dominion" taking the contrast into account."The Beginning" and "Dominion" are the essentially the same movie released one year apart. Same basic plot, much of the same cast. I knew this going onto "Dominion", but not going into "The Beginning".
This is an excellent demonstration of how the less tangible aspects of film-making can completely change the end product. Despite being in some sense essentially the same, they're completely different movies.
"The Beginning" feels very much like it's shot closer to the time period in which it's set. It's a slow and reserved movie.
In "Dominion", it very much feels like it was made in the 2000-2009 decade. Themes are more on-the-nose. There are more clear-cut divisions between the "good guys" and the "bad guys". The movie is faster paced, it's never in as much danger of feeling boring. And despite the more contemporary feel, it manages to have a gravity in some scenes that makes it in some ways more compelling than the older-feeling "The Beginning". Of course, that gravity is undone several times in the movie from classic cases of earlier attempts at CGI not working well, especially to people who are used to better CGI.
In the end I like these movies about as much as each other, for very different reasons.
If you can't handle slow paced movies that feel old, skip "The Beginning". If (very noticeable) bad CGI ruins movies for you, stay away from "Dominion". Otherwise, either is fine, and if neither are ruled out, I'd recommend it as an interesting case study. The contrast was very enjoyable.
I rated both movies 3 out 5 on Letterboxd.
Movie comment on Saw X
Tidorith
Like a few other Saw movies, a disappointingThat quibble aside, pretty solid Saw movie. Must more what most fans have likely been after than the last two less-Sawy movies Jigsaw and Spiral. (Though I'm someone who didn't particularly mind those movies.)
Gave this 3.5 out of 5 on letterboxd. Good, I liked it.
Movie comment on Talk to Me
Tidorith
Not that scary. But creepy and unsettling.Movie comment on Insidious: The Red Door
Tidorith
Some really good tension building moments. But the last 15 minutes or so dragged a bit, a problem one or two of the earlier Insidious movies have had too.Movie comment on Bram Stoker's Dracula
Tidorith
Very slow, and a bit weird. But good. Low 3.5.This is in the top 100 of theyshootzombies.com greatest 1000 horror. It feels like this must be a meme, but I can't quite figure out how.
Movie comment on Pet Graveyard
Tidorith
Bad. Just bad.Movie comment on The Pope's Exorcist
Tidorith
Nothing special, but engaging.Fun and interesting enough that I gave it 3.5 out of 5, but not by much.
Movie comment on Knock at the Cabin
Tidorith
It doesn't matter how much you love Boogie Shoes, that's no excuse for taking your eyes off the road.Movie comment on Insidious: Chapter 3
Tidorith
Jump scares might be considered cheap. But even so, it's absolutely possible to do them badly even for jump scares, and, apparently, also possible to do them extremely well.Having seen 270 of TSZDT's The 1,000 Greatest Horror Films (link below) and plenty others besides, this movie scared me with jump scares more than any other movie I've seen. Not quite the scariest movie overall I've seen, but damn close. And to do that largely with jump scares and the tension leading up to them is pretty impressive.
www.icheckmovies.com/lists/tszdts+the+1000+greatest+horror+films/
This movie isn't even on that list! Though, that's not surprising, because I almost never watched this movie myself due to how bored I was by Insidious 2.
Movie comment on The Call of Cthulhu
Tidorith
Fun. Great job for a low-budget take, and lo-fi nature of the movie pairs well with the subject/theme and the time in which it's set.Movie comment on The Last Exorcism
Tidorith
Quite liked this. The background of an exorcist who is not only atheistic but in the process of openly confessing to this is a nice little twist on the exorcist genre, and it's portrayed well.Keeps you guessing (or at least kept me guessing) as to not only whether you're watching a natural or supernatural film, but if it's a natural film, what exactly is going on and who's doing what - a lot of motivated actors who could have different ulterior motives.
Movie comment on Untraceable
Tidorith
Neat premise, pretty fun, decently executed. But beyond the premise, doesn't stand out as a particularly good movie. Could have had more done with it.Movie comment on His House
Tidorith
Agreed with Da_Vince that this is much stronger as a drama than a horror/thriller. It still very much fits in those categories, but if I was rating this as horror thriller it would get only moderate points. As a drama though, I think it is pretty outstanding, and deserves its high ratings in that respect.But a warning then; if you're looking for horror/thriller and aren't a fan of dramas, maybe look somewhere else.
Movie comment on Le manoir du diable
Tidorith
Very interesting to watch to see how what you can do with so little to work with. Things happen a little fast and can be a bit hard to follow/interpret, but a repeat watch won't cost you much time.Movie comment on Fright Night
Tidorith
Very 80s. Starts off as quite a stock/unoriginal movie, but does some interesting things in the middle parts. Ends decently well.Best not taken very seriously, like your typical 80s flicks.
Movie comment on Sweet Country
Tidorith
Excellent movie - but quite slow, and very dark in places. Definitely worth a watch if neither of those things put you off. Sort of changes directions a few times; it's hard to know exactly where things are heading over the longer course of the movie, which is rare.Movie comment on The Trial of the Chicago 7
Tidorith
From the perspective of a non-American who went into the movie knowing nothing about the events - very compelling account. Super well made. Obviously people who don't like this kind of movie at all aren't going to be interested, but it's very captivating and engaging.Movie comment on Mama
Tidorith
I like this. I think there's a weak section, from about 60% through to 80% of the way through the movie, where it fall into the too-long-drawn-out trap so common to the horror genre. But the ending is interesting, and worth sticking around for.The opening third/half of the movie is very compelling, so definitely worth watching I think.
Movie comment on A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Tidorith
Not a scary movie, but good. Definitely held interest the whole way through, nice atmosphere. The horror aspects of this movie are a bit of a side piece to the movie as whole - though it's well integrated and doesn't feel out of place at all.Movie comment on The Lords of Salem
Tidorith
Sort of turns into a genric this-genre-horror movie in the last third or half. Very intersting movie for the earlier part though, probably worth watching on that basis.Movie comment on Hard Candy
Tidorith
Good movie. Well executed in all respects I think. Never does anything majorly suprising but you also don't know exactly where it's going.Showing items 1 – 25 of 66